Posts Tagged "social networks"

Google Buzz 101 #googlebuzz

Posted by Erin Blaskie on Feb 10, 2010 in Social Media, Web & Technology | 1 comment

Google Buzz has hit the market and people everywhere are buzzing about the possibilities… well, they are mostly just complaining.

Here are a few of the Tweets on #googlebuzz:

Google Buzz 101

If you want to see what Google Buzz is and how it’s integrated into Gmail, watch this video I just created:

My Thoughts on Google Buzz

In using Google Buzz, one of the first things I noticed was that not only were my “buzzes” going to the new Buzz section, they were also flooding into my inbox in Gmail creating double the noise.  The beauty with Twitter is that I can shut the website off or close Tweetdeck.  It’s not something that is forcing its way into my life like an ex-boyfriend or a stray cat.  Apparently, this is a feature that was definitely chosen and there is no visible way to turn it off.  One Twitterer recommended setting up a filter… Yeahhh, I’ll filter the buzzes all right – straight into my TRASH!

Second, Google Buzz has zero, easy-to-find settings and the finding friends option is not clearly marked from the Gmail add-on.  The interface is pretty simple to use and it mimics the Google Mail interface nicely.  For people who are used to using Gmail, this will be an easy thing to use.  However, I think they need to make finding friends and the general settings much more prominent on the interface.

Third, Google Buzz has a lot of people talking about geolocation based messaging.  What this means is that when you are updating your status on Buzz, it will also point out to your followers where you are.  This has many issues for me — I like using apps like Foursquare and Gowalla because they are optional.  When I am cool with people knowing where I am (ie: eating sushi with a group of people) I tell the world.  If I am NOT cool with people knowing where I am (ie: traveling to a city alone where I don’t really know anyone), I like to go incognito.  We’ll see how easy it is to turn this geolocation based messaging on/off.  If it’s not, it’s a huge invasion of privacy and freaks me out a little.

Fourth, I think this is Google’s way of trying to rescuciate a dead Google Wave…  In all honesty, they should be focusing their attention on integrating Google Wave into Gmail… Oh wait, Google Buzz integrates into Gmail… Google Buzz also does threaded messaging like Wave did… I’m confused.  Are they the same?  Are they different?  What’s happening with Wave?  Oh Google…  One of my favorite Tweets of the morning is this one:

Fifth, Google Buzz is making use of the mobile market but using browser-based updating instead of an app format.  I much prefer to be able to access everything via apps instead of using Safari on my iPhone so I hope that they make an app for this if it really does take off (not a prediction… I predict it dies.)

The world doesn’t need another social media network. The world needs a much more streamlined approach to this entire thing.  People want to have improved connections and to be able to update ONE social networking service and not feel the need to update many.

However… those are just my rants.  What are your thoughts?

I'm Gonna Sic My People On You!

Posted by Erin Blaskie on Jul 15, 2009 in Business Tips, How-To, Social Media | 0 comments

Have you ever heard or said this?

I received an e-mail today reminding me of “the fact that social networks exist and that they could be used to enlist bad press against me”.  Yeah… like I haven’t heard that one before.  It’s in quotes because it’s not what I believe but what I’ve been told.

Here’s why that holds zero validity in my mind.

Using your network to trash talk other people does the other person no harm.  Sure, you might think it’ll cause the 183 people that have gone through the same program to all of a sudden go, “Yeah! We agree with them!” but it won’t.  In fact, it’ll only do YOU harm by making everyone around you afraid to interact with you for fear of being next on the chopping block.

Or, here’s another scenario.  You talk amongst your peeps (who only hear your side of the story) and they are like, “Ohhhh, you’ve been wronged!” and then you feel validated and happy and glad that you put up your threat of bad press.  In all reality, those people are probably afraid to voice their true opinion of, “Are you really serious?!?”

Raving fans are raving fans and every time you do something, you’re going to encounter one person who doesn’t get it, who didn’t like it, who didn’t want it or who hits the economic recession and decides to try and cash in on a product they purchased circa September of 2008.  Seth Godin calls these critics and critics are good.  At least it means you are giving someone, somewhere something to talk about.

Long story short of what I went through to get that e-mail: customer X purchased a spot in a program.  Had trouble with downloading videos.  I offered DVDs.  DVDs were mailed twice times but never received.  I offered new, updated program to customer X for free (which contained super slick high-definition videos).  Customer X still demanded old, outdated information that isn’t being used anymore.  I mailed DVDs of old stuff again.  Customer X, one year later, requests refund and states that my lack of compliance would be bad press and that customer X has a network that they can use. I explain refund policy and offer even more training in lieu of the expired refund availability.

So, how would you react if you were me?

I simply e-mailed stating that while I appreciate the existence of such network (I have one of my own), I was not worried about so-called bad press because the raving reviews, the lack of refunds, etc. makes this a success for me.  Makes the program a win.  You can look at the showcase I have to see what people are doing with what they’ve learned in the program.  It’s changing how people service their own businesses.

You get to decide how you react to things each and every day.

This is a scenario that does not happen often but when it does, I’m reminded of how presenting yourself to your network is so vital and key to the success of your business.  Threaten others with the misuse of your network and you’ll harm yourself in the end.

Use your network for good, change the world, change the way people think and you’ll be a happy, successful business person.

Using Ning to Create a Value-Added Service

Posted by Erin Blaskie on Jan 15, 2009 in blog, Web & Technology | 0 comments

Today I put together a Ning group for my clients. I’ve been thinking for a long time about a way I could pull together my clients in a non-intrusive way to allow them to network with one another, share opportunities and a place where my team and I could post opportunities we came across.  When I say opportunities, I mean things like book launches where our clients are looking for bonuses, telesummits where our clients need additional speakers, etc.

For those of you who don’t know, Ning.com is a website where you can build your very own social network.  It’s a place that allows total customization in both the look and feel of the site as well as the layout and features that are included.

In the Savvy Social Networking course (which just ended and is now being turned into a self-study program), we looked at how to setup and customize Ning and how to use it effectively in your business.

Here is a screenshot of the Inner Circle group for our clients:

The beauty of a group like this is that your clients can then have access to a place where they can setup their own profiles, sharing as much or as little information as they wish, and you can post information to your clients in one place.  I anticipate that as this grows (we just started inviting our clients), our clients will find immense value in being able to communicate with one another.

In my business, I am always trying to see where I can provide good value and add on value for our clients.  This year our focus is really turned inward as much as it is turned outward so that we can make sure our clients are setup for success and we are providing the tools they need.

What do you do to provide value to your business for your clients and customers?

[tags]Value, value-add, value-added, Ning, Ning.com, social network, social networking, social networks, Erin Blaskie, BSETC, internet marketing, internet marketing strategy, internet marketing strategist[/tags]